Cabo isn’t cool. It’s the coolest.
You might know the place—a popular breezy desert oasis favored by snowbirds and young revelry seekers alike, ideally poised for optimal dramatic beauty at the tip of the Baja California Peninsula. But that’s an outdated reflection of Cabo, as sun-faded as your favorite beach towel. The true Cabo is only now being realized. It’s a beaming beacon of luxury lifestyle vacationing beckoning to the rest of the world to explore its charms. It’s a gathering place for tastemakers, a playground for those struck with wanderlust, and a dream come true for those seeking only the best in culinary delights. It is barefoot luxury and beach chic at its soul.
That’s right, Cabo has been transformed. And it all started with one remarkable event: the grand opening of Los Cabo’s Ultimate Entertainment District at Vidanta Los Cabos.
On February 22nd, the long-awaited and much-buzzed-about collaboration between Hakkasan Group—the definitive brand in lifestyle entertainment—and Grupo Vidanta came to stunning fruition with the opening celebration for four new dining and venue experiences and the big debut of the completely reimagined resort. The weekend was chock full of festivities and exhilarating revelations, but we’re here to give you an inside glimpse into the most unbelievable moments from the event.
The entrance to Vidanta Los Cabos.
1. Cabo Discovers Cabo’s Hottest Destination for Itself
The celebratory long weekend kicked off with a firecracker bang on Thursday night with a party for hospitality insiders and arts and culture mavens from all over the Los Cabos region. These locals were invited to explore each of the four Hakkasan Group collaborations as well as the brand-new Que Lindo Lifestyle Boutique. Small bites were offered from the nautical-striped vintage van turned food truck at SHOREbar while mixologists shook, squeezed, and stirred cocktails from the lounge’s breezy menu. Herringbone sent out sensational previews of their coastal cuisine menu. Casa Calavera invited attendees to sample their inspired take on Mexican classics with a made-to-order taco pop-up, complete with guacamole and salsa stations throughout. And OMNIA Dayclub kept the party going with DJs spinning until fireworks erupted in the night sky.
Diners enjoy the flavors and sights at Casa Calavera.
2. Casa Calavera Offers a Spirited Meal
The opening festivities marked the debut of Casa Calavera, a bold new concept by Hakkasan Group that draws its inspiration from the traditions of Día de los Muertos. The space features a long entryway lined with ofrenda-like clusters of Catrina skeleton candelabras, ceramic skulls, splashy murals, and huichol pieces. On Friday afternoon, the restaurant showcased their equally awe-inspiring cuisine with a four-course family-style lunch. Included in each course were modern and flavorful takes on authentic Mexican fare, such as guacamole perfectly punctuated with crispy chicharron and stone crab, beautifully zesty black shrimp ceviche, and firm-but-luscious octopus tacos that left an indelible impression.
Hakkasan Group’s Constantin Alexander shows how to make a signature drink at SHOREbar.
3. Guests Shake Things Up at SHOREbar
After Casa Calavera’s magnificent lunchtime spread, guests got to unwind at SHOREbar, the new open-air lounge at the center of the resort. Boasting lovely shaded lounge areas, hanging basket chairs with a view, and an assortment of beach games, SHOREbar is set to become the area’s go-to hangout spot. Its staff of expert mixologists is also known for making some of the best cocktails in Mexico, as evidenced by Saturday’s mixology course held by Constantin Alexander, Director of Beverage at Hakkasan Group. Participants learned the art of cocktail shaking, how to zest and juice with flair, and the importance of presentation. Cocktail parties all over will never be the same!
DJs Zedd and Steve Aoki at the opening’s orange carpet. Photo by Joe Janet.
4. Celebs, DJs, and Influencers Make an Entrance
Nothing says “Leave your preconceived notions at the door” like a big, breathtaking reveal. And that’s exactly what the new Vidanta Los Cabos has—the perfect way to make a great entrance. Friday evening started off with a who’s who of the music, culture, and social worlds walking the OMNIA orange carpet before heading through Vidanta Los Cabos’ iconic ringed entryway and into the resort. Headlining DJs Steve Aoki and Zedd were there, as were Hakkasan Group CEO Nick McCabe, actor and model José Pablo Minor, actor Brandon Peniche, and social influencers Andy Benavides, Chantal Torres, and Cassandra De La Vega.
Steve Aoki opens the party with his thrilling set. Photo by Joe Janet.
5. Steve Aoki Gets the Party Started
The crowning event of Friday’s festivities was Steve Aoki’s performance at OMNIA Dayclub. The legendary DJ took the stage at a little after 11:00 and played a set buzzing with infectious energy, including raucous house tracks off his recent album Kolony, to the packed pool lounge. The audience crowded before the DJ platform and watched, awestruck, from private cabanas featuring lounge bed swings, secluded lounge areas on the beach, and the two-story VIP villas overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Known for his playful presence, Aoki didn’t disappoint in the least, singing along with songs, bantering with the crowd, and even launching into a brief crowd surf.
Chefs Brian Malarkey and Alexander Branch lead the Herringbone cooking class.
6. Herringbone Los Cabos Gets Cooking
When Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey of Top Chef fame worked with Hakkasan Group to bring his beloved restaurant Herringbone to Vidanta Los Cabos, he knew it would have to reflect the flavors of the region in addition to transporting the original’s California Coastal Cuisine to the destination. So he brought in Mexican chef Alexander Branch to ensure the menu features the seafood and produce of Los Cabos in a thoughtful—and delicious—way. On Saturday afternoon with Chef Malarkey and an intimate group of hungry resort guests watching, Chef Branch led a cooking class showcasing those very ingredients and the techniques that make Herringbone Los Cabos’ offerings so remarkable. Attendees got to sample fresh dishes of lobster ceviche and tuna poke straight from Chef Branch’s counter while sipping perfectly complementing cocktails.
Zedd gets the crowd going at Saturday’s pool party. Photo by Joe Janet.
7. Zedd Makes a Splash
The pools, sun beds, and beach lounges of OMNIA Dayclub filled with swimsuit-clad revelers from all over the world on Saturday afternoon, all eagerly awaiting the set by Zedd, the GRAMMY-winning DJ and producer. The turntable sensation came on and kept the crowd moving with an irresistible mix of top 40, hip-hop, and vintage tracks. Zedd rocked the brand-new space for two plus hours while the audience enjoyed the beautiful, sunny weather and stunning seaside setting.
Calvin Harris closes the event with an unforgettable set. Photo by Conor Mcdonnell.
8. Calvin Harris Drops the Beat—and the Mic
The culmination of the grand opening was the weekend’s most anticipated event, an astonishing evening performance by the superstar DJ and producer Calvin Harris. The sold-out show started with a bang, literally, as fireworks overtook the sky and the multi-platinum selling producer took over the DJ booth. Throughout the night, attendees celebrated the unforgettable event by popping bottles of Perrier-Jouet Champagne, which arrived in parades of fanfare that snaked throughout the entire club. Harris had the entire audience dancing until the early morning playing over three hours of nonstop hits.
To plan your visit to Los Cabos’ Ultimate Entertainment District, call 1-800-292-9446 and book your reservation. You can also see the full upcoming lineup of DJs at OMNIA Dayclub here.
